More problems at the Queens Park

The summer bedding is now finished and given a few weeks it will  be at its best so pop along and have a look

A lot of baby rabbits about this week a bit timid but there are lots to be seen if you walk around quietly. The swans and Grebe are still  sitting on the nests and its hoped we will see some new life from them soon. What could be more important is the Barnacle Goose has been sitting on a nest for a while. It a very rare bird in this part of the world but they have never bread in the uk there were some at Tatton Park in 1972 but they never had young so if ours has young even crossed with others it will be a national event.

The two holes in the path covered in metal plates above have been filled in this week as kids were pushing the plates off leaving deep holes

The kids have removed the edging stones from the gates making it simple for them to break in at night and cause more damage.

The gardens had a metal boat to  get to the islands to weed this week and they pulled it ashore while they had dinner. Next minute these two cheeky chappies  were in it and away with it as they pulled it from the lake we had visions of them stealing it and walking down Alton st with it to cash it in. You could imagine the Police report be on the look out for two lads in a boat down Alton St. The Police came with a few mins and caught them. So remember any problems in the park call 101 and ask for Police at Crewe they are responding quickly and the more reports we have the better the evidence to get Wardens back

Arson Attack in the Queens Park

The fence on Burma Island has been repaired again after people keep smashing it and we find bits in the lake.

The big News is the burning of the Broadwalk bridge which cost £250,000. A dusbin was placed on the bridge on Friday and set on fire being a plastic bin it melted and has burnt through  the bridge.

It looks as if its been caught in time as if the main beam was badly burnt half the bridge would have to come to bits to replace it. There was a further fire later at night in bushes. Lets hope the council now see sense and get security in the park before something else goes up.

A new brood of baby ducks this week with a nice yellow one but after a couple of days the yellow one was gone. It could be the gulls again but wet weather wont help.

A new plaque has been erected on the Monkey hut to Charles Dick former mayor of Crewe who help with the layout of the park

New railings

This week new railing have gone up on all the bridges so people cant fall over the side.

A man hole cover was removed by yobs this week leaving a big hole for people to fall down and then thrown into the lake. It weighs a ton so it must be big lads doing this

Heston Blumenthal  popped into the cafe for one of Karens butties while channel four were down doing a programme about ice creams in the band stand about 30 people turned up on a very wet day to see the event

The coots had three young this week but sadly by Friday they were down to just the one they do look poor little things. Some at the other end of the park have also had young and have survived so far. We suspect its gulls taking the young all the time.

Illegal Fishing in the Queens Park

This week we had over 17 kids in the park illegally fishing after some of the fish that can  be seen in the lake. They can face up to a £1,000 fine and if they injure some protected wildlife it can be more. On this occasion the Police were called using the new 101 number and they responded in 30 mins and removed all the kids and adults from the park with the warning that if they are caught again they will be in big trouble. It was reported to the local PCSO who is

PCSO 20662 Andrea SMITH

Crewe Neighbourhoold Policing Team

Crewe Police Station

Civic Centre

Crewe

CW1 2DQ

Work Voice Mail Telephone Number 0845 458 6370

Work Mobile Telephone Number 07828086730

If you see in any problems in the park then call the Police. Was was surprising was an elderly man and his wife was  racing a speed boat on the lake frightening nesting birds. I showed him the signs that he shouldn't be close to the lake and got a load of abuse off him a fine example to young people. He did a runner when the Police turned up

As well as fishing the new fence on Burma Island is being damaged and wood floating in the lake

Everyone favourite duck the mandarin has returned this week in the form of mister angry as he just started picking on all other ducks on the lake as you can see below a right royal rumble.

At long last the Grebe have found the bail of hay and seem to have nested on there. They have tried nesting for months but kids pinch the eggs so for once they are safe next to the island. The swan has now been on the nest on the island for a few weeks so we hope to see some young it normal takes about 36 days for the eggs to hatch.

Channel 4  is making a major series with Heston Blumenthal which aims to bring back to life the fun and nostalgia of our favourite foods. In each episode, Heston will research one of our favourite eating experiences and put his unusual twist on them, making people take time out of their busy lives to come together as communities and rekindle their fond food memories.  He plans to not only make these meal-times innovative and delicious, but to make them supersized too – to amaze and feed the masses.

In this episode Heston wants to bring back the ice cream experience that we had when we were younger and this Ice Cream Olympics day is an opportunity to find out what the public remember about their favourite ice creams. We would like members of the Crewe community to come down at 2pm on Saturday June 16^th  with old photographs of them or their family eating ice creams to show Heston.

Please let me know if you are able to come along and if you have anything suitable to bring – so I can let the producer know!!

Regards,

Elaine Dodd

Queens Park Manager

West Lodge, Queens Park,

Victoria Ave, Crewe  CW2 7SE

Tel:  01270 686708

Jubilee Events in the Queens Park

Queens Park Events
01270 537896
www.cheshireeast.gov.uk
All events run from 2pm to 4pm unless otherwise stated

Bank Holiday Monday
4th June
Queens Park Jubilee Events
3pm
Children’s Activities
4pm
Boer War Memorial
Tribute
6pm
California Blue Band
live Band
10.15pm Lighting of Beacon
Sun 10th June
Circus Workshop 
Wed 20th June
SEALS OLYMPICNIC
in the Park
All day event
Fri  22nd June
Nordic Walking Technique
Course
Queens Park, Crewe
10.30–11.30am
Sun 17th & 24th June
Clay Modelling Workshop
West Lodge, by Sheila Blackburn,
‘Friends’ Secretary
(17th model sculpture, 24th
Painting your creation)
Fri  29th June
Nordic Walking Technique
Course
Queens Park, Crewe
10.30–12.00
Sun 1st July
Heritage Walk
by Howard Curran
Meet at Clock Tower
(max 30 persons first come basis)
Fri  6th July
Nordic Walking Technique
Course
Queens Park, Crewe 10.30–12.00
Sun 22nd July
Nantwich & District Band
Sun 29th July
Break dancing/Street Dancing
2 x half hr spots
Sat 11th & Sun 12th Aug
Bob Fields Grands
Shanaze Reade BMX Track
Tip Kinder Park. All day event
Sun 12th Aug
Punch & Judy by Ian Davies
Wed 22nd Aug
PLAY DAY in Queens Park
Play Association. All day event
Sat 25th & Sun 26th Aug
A Voice for Lions
Local talent show & events
All day event
Sat 3rd Nov
C&N Lions Fireworks Grande
Display
Evening event
Sun 16th Dec
Christmas Lantern Procession
Evening event
Kindly supported by: Crewe Trustees, Crewe & Nantwich Lions Association,
Royal British Legion Crewe Branch, Ringway Jacobs,
CEC Sports Development

The two white ducks were back this week and on Tuesday they had 3 yellow chicks Wednesday they were down to two and by Thursday there was only one left. Lets hope this one survives what killing them we dont know but one disappeared in the day it was there at 2 pm by 5pm it had gone. People are still reporting Yobs throwing stones at young chicks so it you see this call the Police

A baby Moorhen was trying to get back on the island this week but couldnt make it his parents were feeding him and he was hiding in bricks in  the island. Its a pity they didnt take wildlife into account when they did the islands

A good show of rhododendrons at the park this week some here by the lake but there are others in bloom or coming into bloom

Swans Attacked

A few report this week of people witnessing the swans being attacked by yobs. There are very stiff penalties if they are caught so if you see anyone doing this ring the Police as they are a protected bird.

What do swans eat I am often asked

So what do swans eat? The following are the common foods that most swans eat:

• Aquatic Plants - since swans spend most of their time in bodies of water like ponds and lakes, they also source out their food from here. They usually feed on stems, roots, leaves, tubers and other parts of any aquatic plants. This is not a problem for swan raised on natural bodies of water; however, people that raise their swans in man-made ponds or lakes must ensure that aquatic plants are present to serve as the swan's food.

• Insects - swans also wander on land and they can eat whatever small insect that may come into their way. This includes snails, aquatic beetles and many more. This is the intriguing part about what do swans eat; at first people thought that swans are purely herbivorous but as time passes by, it was discovered that swans also feed on small insects.

• Small Aquatic Animals - this includes shrimps, small fishes and other small aquatic animals. These aquatic animals are eaten by fully mature swans living in a natural pond or lake.

• Grains and Vegetables - this is the usual food for domesticated swans, especially those that are raised on farms. Swans on captivity feed on corns and other grains as well as on left over vegetable scraps.

Grain, such as wheat, and vegetable matter, especially lettuce and potatoes, can be fed to swans. Food should be thrown into the water to avoid encouraging the birds onto the bank.

This week 7 staff came down to put a hay bail and pallets in the lake for the swans and grebes to nest on away from the banks were they are being attacked. Above the man wades out to fit the hay.

The swans tried it out the next day but now seem to have used it to get onto the island so lets hope they nest there safely. Hopefully they are returning in a few days with more hay for the Grebes

The two white ducks were back again this week so we dont know were one hides but it seems to come and go maybe it has a nest close by.

The week started off with contractors building steps by Morton Rd

They are now finished but people with prams and disabled are not happy as now they cant get up or down.

On Friday a 1,000 Scouts turned up for a big meeting.

Dog Menace Again

New signs have gone up in the Queens Park about keeping dogs on a lead. Even with the new signs there has been several incidents this week were dogs off the lead have attacked the baby ducks. The whole thing now hot up as new laws can  have the dogs destroyed  and owners can get 12 months in prison. So people should take note

Burma Island has had a new fence put up stopping people getting on the island any bets how long it last?

There has been a lot of rabbits about this week with lots of new babies in Coronation Walk and surrounding areas. This one sat nice and still to have his picture taken

The on going problem with the Grebes and Swans trying to nest continues as the grebe try on the main bank and they stand no chance there as yobs will soon destroy the eggs. We desperately need some sort of platforms in the lake for them so they can nest safely. We have been asking for months but this week there is a friends meeting so we will ask if they  can pay for some landing stages so come along to the meeting.
RESTORATION PROJECT
FRIENDS MEETING
Monday, 21st May, 2012   5.30pm
At  the GAMES PAVILION (adj Bowling Green), Queens Park, Crewe

Agenda
1.    Apologies
2.    Minutes of Last Meeting
3.    Matters Arising
4.    Chairs Project Up-date
5.    Key Events / Fund Raising
6.    Any Other Business
7.    Date of Next Meeting

With my finepix hs10 I got another panoramic view of the lake this week with the trees in leaf

More Baby Chicks

Its getting harder every week to find something to show from the park as no work is being done other than maintenance. So its all down to wildlife as that's all that's happening.
This week we have the Heron back on site for a few days he was getting chase doff the islands by Coats as they are nesting so he has been on the bank a lot this week.


Mixed fortunes on the duck front another duck has sneaked young in without anyone seeing. The ones above are very young and only 3 left The ones below are a bit bigger and there are 4 of them.


The Canadian geese have two lots one guarded by the white goose who seems to follow them everywhere and the ones above who have 9 babies out on the lake with mother and father


Some time ago we found out about the two white ducks from the person that brought them he said.
Hi, I am a regular visitor to the park and a real wildlife enthusiast. I by chance searched for wildlife sightings at the park to see If anyone logged the comings and goings and was very pleased to find your site. The reason I wish to contact you is to shed light on the two white ducks and let you know the story as I am the guy with the pet carrier who released them. I am a former manager of Stapeley water gardens and every yr we had numerous families of ducks, sadly as I'm sure your aware Stapeley closed and last yr a lot of ponds were filled in and one duck sat on eggs basically in a building site! Sadly many of the youngsters fell prey to the local cats and mum abandoned the two remaining youngsters on their very first day in the big wide world. I rescued the pair and one of my broody hens became stepmom. My plan was always to keep them as wild as possible and release them in a safe natural environment when I believed they would have a decent chance against predators! So this is exactly what I did and couldn't think of a better place than your park where they would have a helping hand with people regularly feeding the wildfowl their plus my regular visits. I hope this is ok in hindsight maybe I should have asked permission!? They are both standard mallards whose mum was the standard brown but they obviously have something from their father or mums ancestors in their genes. On seeing them on your website and noticing the insert about them bring brought in a cage I just wanted you to know the history behind them.
Now we only have one left we dodnt know if the other has left to get married or what has happened but its not been around for a couple of weeks. They used to be cheeky and visit the gardeners hut at dinner time for butties.

More Baby Chicks

 

Some nice flowers and trees coming out the both by the bridges a welcome colour to the park

Despite other wildlife loosing chicks the baby Moorhen has survived on the island away from yobs and it is helped by fierce parent that tackle anything coming near it not matter how big.

If you can see it on the picture above the treecreeper is small, very active, bird that lives in trees. It has a long, slender, downcurved bill. It is speckly brown above and mainly white below. It breeds in the UK and is resident here. Birds leave their breeding territories in autumn but most range no further than 20 km. Its population is mainly stable.

Where to see them

Best looked for on the trunks of trees in suitable woodland. In autumn and winter, it often joins flocks of tits and other small birds, so if you come across such a flock in a wood, it is worth listening out for a treecreeper among them. They are very small and hard to see and even harder to take pictures of

The Wood hatch has now got your as they only take 16 days here its returning to the nest with food for the young

The first baby Canadian geese can be seen here there are four so far lets hope they have more luck than the swans and Grebe .

We are still trying to get hay bails around the island so the Grebe and swans can nest in peace. The wildlife experts came last week and reported.

Countryside service ......In the short term you could consider putting in a couple of floating nest platforms, though these would need to be situ ideally within the next fortnight to stand any chance of being used this year. Unfortunately from a first trawl on the internet we’ve been unable to identify anything suitable ‘off the peg’. However you could instead consider contacting one of the local conservation groups who may be willing to make one for you. As a start try... (Contact made arrangements underway).
.... Short of making a very secure (human free!) area this is impossible to guard against, especially if the nests are so very accessible.... appropriate interpretive messages is the most cost effective measure, helping to engender public interest and help for their protection. (Signs arranged). It is the public’s eyes & ears that are your best weapon in combating such anti-social behaviours of this kind. (Further inspections made today by wildfowl specialists).

So at the present time nothing has been done and time is running out all for a few bails of hay or similar

OVERSEAS MUSCIANS TO VISIT QUEENS PARK
The May Bank Holiday is very nearly upon us and that means time for Crewe Brass to welcome our friends from Crewe's twin town of Bischofsheim in Germany!
HHS Bischofsheim, the town's brilliant accordion orchestra will be arriving for a programme of activity and music.
One highlight is a free Concert to be performed at Crewe's Queens Park on Sunday 6 May from 2pm, with Crewe Brass and HHS Bischofsheim performing both classics and favourites, on the stunning newly renovated bandstand a beautiful backdrop to this talented band of musicians. All are welcome. The band are hoping for lots of sunshine so that everyone can enjoy a picnic in the park before the performance.